Retired airman back at Travis, providing aid with FEMA

That was the feeling Mike Hurley shared Thursday as the logistics section chief for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s District 9 returned to Travis Air Force Base, where FEMA crews were staging in response to a possible failure at the Oroville Dam.

The Fairfield resident had retired last year from the Air Force after serving for 22 years.

“I was a logistics officer,” he said, adding that he had been stationed at Travis. Upon his return this week, Hurley admitted that he still felt attached to the base.

“I have lots of nice memories,” he said. “It’s great to be back here.”

After such a long stretch of service, the 43-year-old said he felt a need to start a new chapter of his life.

But, he didn’t venture too far from where he started.

“Public service is important to me,” he said. “Now I’m working with FEMA and helping in a different way.”

Logistics is just a great skill, he said, and he puts that to good use with FEMA. He’s enjoying stretching his wings, yet still doing something that’s familiar.

His family life, too, has benefited.

“My wife’s happy that my job is much more stable,” he said.

Travel is still a part of his job, he said, but he spends a large chunk of his time in California.

His office is based in Oakland.

“It’s nice helping people abroad but it’s nicer helping people in our state,” he emphasized.

FEMA was called in after the president declared a state of emergency this week.